the government to solve my problems but i do expect them to understand my problems. >> did i mention that mitt romney will be fund-raising up in chestnut hill? let's get to our handle. in washington eugene robinson, pulitzer prize winning columnist for "the washington post," and here in new york msnbc political analyst jonathan alter who is a columnist for the bloomberg view. eugene, i have taken the trouble of going back over a number of your columns written during this campaign, and here is what you say about mr. romney in no particular order. the candidate, you say, he's robotic, unknowable, ideologically incoherent, severely out of touch, contemptuous, and condescending. so i guess you won't be on his christmas card list this year, but does this explain why mr. romney's star is now fading? >> now, let me tell you what i really think, martin. >> thank you. >> no, look, as a candidate he leaves a lot to be desired, and you're hearing that not just from me today. you're hearing it from other republicans who are complaining in print and on the airwaves about -- or asking the question